Rovering to Success: A Guide for Young Manhood

by Robert Baden-Powell

Illustrated by the Author. Contents: Preface; How to Be Happy Through Rich or Poor; Rocks You are Likely to Bump on; Rovering. 'To sum up in a few words, success does not consist so much in gaining money and power as in gaining happiness. Many young men drift along with the rest of the crowd according to chance, and thus never reach happiness. From being passive be active. Don't drift. Take your own line. Paddle your own canoe. Only mind the rocks! Avoid them by cultivating other qualities." Powell explains the 'rocks" you are likely to bump on (Through herd temptation) Horses, betting and looking on at false sports. Wine, and other forms of self indulgence. Women, dangers of a wrong attitude and blessing of the right one. Extremists in politics, irreligion, etc. Powell elaborates on the antidotes to the 'rocks" (through individual effort) active hobbies, earning money, self-control, character, chivalry, health of mind and body, service for your fellow-men and for God. 'If you aim for it by practicing these safeguards, instead of being stranded among the rocks, you will win success and happiness." These and dozens of other inspiring maxims make this extraordinary book a useful companion for Scouts and Scout Leaders.

Genres: Nonfiction

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1922

About the author

Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell , British general and first baron Baden-Powell, founded the Boy Scouts in 1908 and with his sister Agnes Baden-Powell founded the Girl Guides in 1910.

This also known lord and lieutenant in the Army wrote of the movement.

Charterhouse school educated Baden-Powell, who afterward from 1876 served in the Army in India and Africa until 1910. In 1899 during the second Boer War in South Africa, Baden-Powell successfully defended the besieged city of Mafeking. He wrote several also read military books for reconnaissance and training in his African years. Based on those earlier books, he wrote Scouting for Boys , which Pearson published in 1908 for youth readership. During writing, he tested his ideas on Brownsea island through a camping trip that began on 1 August 1907, now seen as the beginning.

Baden-Powell and notably Olave Saint Clair Soames, his wife, after their marriage actively gave the movement. Baden-Powell lived his last years in Nyeri, Kenya, where he died.

Reviews

[Sandor-Martin Filip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinară lectură! Baden-Powell e motivant și provocator ca de întotdeauna și îți arată calea spre o viața bine ancorată în valori și concentrată pe dezvolatarea profundă a caracterului și a serviciului pentru celălalt.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book to inform me of the manners of men of the past. Great old fashioned values with great analogies and stories of the man's life. Written to guide young men who are just trying to get out of the house and into the world. Details the stumbling blocks for men: Women, wine, Work, Religion and politicians. One story I loved was that Baden Powell was challenged by an American Indian. The Indian was not at all scared of Baden Powell. He asked him why and he said that he does not fear men who have their mouths open all the time. That is because it shows weak character to have it open.

[Gen Giggles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally written in the 1920s this book is full of advice for young men who are to old for Boy Scouts but are just starting out their independent life.

It is a bit dated but still full of surprisingly sound advice in most cases. Some of it might be found to be offensive but getting past that is worth it. After all Baden-Powell was over 60 when he wrote the book, and like his writing, is a product of his time.

[chiara :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Incontrerai sulla tua rotta difficoltà e pericoli, banchi e tempeste. Ma senza avventura, la vita sarebbe terribilmente monotona. Se saprai manovrare con cura, navigando con lealtà e gioiosa persistenza, non c'è ragione perché il tuo viaggio non debba essere un completo successo; poco importa quanto piccolo fosse il ruscello dal quale un giorno partisti.”

[Jaaklactus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended.

It's dated in some advice, and reflects the culture of it's time.

However, it's notions of being responsible for one's own life, not loafing around, maintaining one's integrity, while treating others with chivalry are truly values that most share and would aspire to.

[Miguel Moya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book in which B.P's philosophy can be appreciated in a good extent, full of great advices for young men and a must read for all those teens getting closer to adulthood.

[Fares · Rating 4 out of 5]

هذا الكتاب اشتريته عندما كنت بالثانوي واعدت قراءته بالأمس، كتاب جيد للمراهقين والشباب يقدم خطوط أساسية للنجاح بالحياة كإنسان وكرجل

[Ayami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Para un scout es un libro escencial, la mayoría de las situaciones se pueden realcionar a tu vida real. Como es un libro viejo y dirigido únicamente a varones, como mujer, tuve que darle algunas maromas a algunos escollos, pero en general, me gusta este libro, seguramente lo volveré a leer.

[Adriano Koehler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know we must evaluate this book based on the time it was written, but sometimes BP could be less prolific about chases and hunts and more specific on tips for the success. It has some bright spots, though, that compensate the dull parts.

[Nedas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tarnauk!

[o meu nome é Margarida · Rating 2 out of 5]

"super atualizado" não não é, não gostei, foi escrito á mais de 100 anos e kao senti que fosse para mim, sobretudo sendo mulher

[Anto · Rating 4 out of 5]

aplicable

[Farras · Rating 4 out of 5]

related

[Carlos Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about manliness more relevant than never written 100 years ago.